Top business and career coaches from Forbes Coaches Council offer firsthand insights on leadership development & careers.

The number of people affected by stress in the United States is constantly on the rise, with symptoms most commonly caused by factors such as work or money. According to the American Psychology Association’s 2017 Stress in America Survey, this year’s main causes of stress included uncertainty over the future of our nation, at 63%, as well as concern about financial factors and work-related issues, the current political climate, and crime and violence.

A Mayo Clinic report details some of the impact that long-term stress can have on your health and mood, including issues with high blood pressure, anxiety, loss of mental focus, and chest pain or headaches. Fortunately, you have options: Whether it’s by creating healthy habits, learning when to stop work to get some rest, or knowing how to delegate, there are several practical strategies today’s professionals can implement to combat the negative effects of stress. Here is what six members of Forbes Coaches Council recommend you try:

Members of the Forbes Coaches Council share some approaches for coping with stress.

Photos courtesy of individual members.

1. Create Healthy Routines

In order to do your best work and make your valued contributions to the world, you must be healthy and whole. It is vital that you create healthy routines to ensure that you pay attention to everything that is important to you, such as family, health, business and your time. Healthy routines yield profitable results. - Marcedes Fuller, Imagepreneurs Public Image Relations

2. Get Rest And Learn To Delegate

There are two things that every entrepreneur should learn to master: First, get some rest. Lack of sleep over time affects your ability to focus and to retain information that could inevitably benefit others. Second, delegate authority, or outsource small tasks to someone you can trust. This can free up your schedule, empower others, and help you focus on things that require more of your time and energy. - Jamie Pendergrass, Pneuma Empowerment Group LLC

3. Learn How To Focus

Learn how to create space to focus. So, if clients fall into the trap of constantly checking email, or are distracted by a new shiny object, or if the phone ring pulls them off task, understand that this is caused by their need for an immediate endorphin release. I recommend incorporating a mindfulness practice, journaling, or creating a task or accomplishment list to support goal realization. - Michelle Zeiser, Self Ideate

That's how long it takes to take one deep inhale and exhale. The physiological and psychological changes that take place in one six-second breath are a more efficient tool for powerful leadership than anything else that can be done within the same amount of time. - Lydia Schimmelpfenig, the telos institute

5. Listen More Than You Talk

Much of the stress we face in the modern world is based on assumptions — assumptions fueled by busy lives, social media portrayals of how life should look and stories we tell ourselves. By asking open-ended questions, listening deeply and connecting with people several times a day, you'll realize how minimal the things you're stressed about actually are. - Andy Hagerman, The Design Gym

6. Protect Your Supply Lines

There are several things every hard-working professional could do to help eliminate stress. It’s important to protect your supply lines — spend enough time on sleep, prayer or meditation, fitness, nutrition, and your inner circle or connection. Create intentional time for these five things and you will be bulletproof to the outside stresses of the world. - Matt Gagnon, LifeStory Coaching & Development, LLC